Biography of Edward Kelham, page 238.  History of Northeast Indiana; 
LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial 
supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. 
McIntosh.  The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago and New York, 1920.

   Edward Kelham is a prominent farmer and land owner of Keyser Township, 
DeKalb County, having 300 acres in his ownership.  He is practically retired 
from the responsibilities of farming and lives at Altona.  His name is well 
known in connection with several important offices, which he has filled with 
signal credit and efficiency.
   Mr. Kelham was born in Richland County, Ohio, September 30, 1854, a son 
of Edward and Sarah Downend (Huston) Kelham.  His parents were both natives 
of England.  His father was born in Lincolnshire, November 3, 1826, and his 
mother in Yorkshire, March 5, 1826.  He came to the United States at the 
age of twenty-two while his wife came to this country when only eight 
years old.  They were married in Richland County, Ohio, and Edward Kelham, 
Sr., was a farmer.  In 1858 he came to DeKalb County, Indiana, and bought 
eighty acres of land in Keyser Township.  Eventually he accumulated much 
valuable farming land in the county, and on account of his business 
ability and probity of character he was widely known and honored and was 
entrusted with the administrative settlement of some of the largest 
estates in the county.  He also served as county commissioner one term and 
was an active democrat.  He and his wife had ten children, seven of whom 
reached mature years, and six now living are: Thomas, of Avilla, Indiana; 
Edward; Mary, of Garrett; Joseph and George, of Laotto, Indiana; and 
Charles, of Troy, Idaho.
   Edward Kelham was four years old when brought to Indiana, and he 
received his early education in the district schools of DeKalb County.  At 
the age of twenty-one he left home and began earning his living in a brick 
yard.  On February 1, 1880, he married Viola Whetsel, who was born in 
Keyser Township June 8, 1859, a daughter of Michael and Caroling (Simons) 
Whetsel. 
   After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Kelham took up farming, and that has 
been his steady vocation until he accumulated the competency which enabled 
him to retire.  Mr. and Mrs. Kelham have four children.  Chloe G., who is 
a graduate of the common schools, and is the wife of W.A. Helme, of Angola; 
Claude K., a graduate of the common schools, is a machinist by trade but 
in practice a farmer, married Frennie Crowe; Mary M., is the widow of 
Arthur Gump; Caroline is the wife of Newton DePew.
   Mrs. Kelham is an active member of the Methodist Protestant Church at 
Altona.  He is affiliated with the Garrett City Lodge No. 537, Accepted 
Free and Ancient Masons, and is a democrat in politics.  Mr. Kelham filled 
the office of trustee of Keyser Township for five years and three months, 
also served two terms as county commissioner, and is at present a member 
to the County Council.
 
Submitted by:
Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
Agoodwin@ctlnet.com